Tampa Bay Buccaneer Blessings At Thanksgiving: No Brett Favre

While you slather the gravy on that juicy slice of turkey, contemplate what could have happened to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and why, on this special day, Tampa fans have a lot to be thankful for.

The Milwaukee Journal, August 6, 2008:

"The Tampa Tribune reported late Tuesday that a trade for Brett Favre between the Packers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was likely to be finalized sometime on Wednesday after Favre told Tampa directly that he would not stand in the way of a deal.

A source close to Favre told the Milwaukee Journal that although Favre's trade to Tampa Bay was not yet completed, the signs were definitely pointed in that direction."

Think back if you will. It was so very, very close to happening. Favre to the Bucs. What would this franchise look like today if that had happened? Take a glance at the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay fans can realize that there is oh so very much to be thankful for.

Give thanks that the broken-down gunslinger is not among us.

Give thanks that Jon Gruden is in the broadcast booth, for had Favre made his way into the sunshine, Gruden might still be coaching the Buccaneers and Bruce Allen doing his very best to make sure the roster was well stocked with worn-out, beaten-up discarded veterans.

Give thanks that this city has not been held hostage the last two seasons by the drama queen that Favre turned into.

Give thanks that he took Minnesota oh so close to a Super Bowl appearance, only to throw a pass at the end of the game that wasn't fit for one of his Wrangler Jeans commercials.

Give thanks that the juggernaut Gruden-Allen talent-sniffing combo is gone for surely there would be no Josh Freeman, no Mike Williams, no Arrelious Benn, no Cody Grimm, no influx of superb rookie talent that has given these 2010 Bucs a lot of heart and spirit and seven wins in the process.

Give thanks because the Gruden-Allen show left Oakland in shambles and Favre has left the Vikings gasping for air.

Yes, this Tampa Bay franchise has made a lot of mistakes, but as we are thankful today for so many reasons here in our wonderful country, in our wonderful city, it is nice that Favre decided to grace the Big Apple for a year. It's nice he moved on to Minnesota and wounded the bejeebers out of that franchise, that is now searching and losing.

Yes, it's a great Thanksgiving Day in Tampa.

It's great because Gruden and Allen are somewhere else and so is Lord Favre.

Have another slice of turkey and raise your glass and toast Raheem Morris, Mark Dominik and the young group of upstarts who have been such an amazing surprise this fall.

A toast to all the young Bucs.

And thank you, Brett Favre, wherever you are.